Improvement in safety key-boxes



F. INHAISER.y

Safety Key BOX,

No. 212,006. Patented Feb. 4, i879.

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MFETERS, PHQTO-LITMOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D C,

UNrrnnfS'rArns PATENT rrrcn.

FRIEDRICH IMHAEUSER, OF BROOKLYN, NEVAYORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SAFETY KEY-BOXES.

Spccilicationforming part of Letters Patent No. 212,006, dated February 4, 1879; application filed December 28, 1878.

To all rwhom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH IMHAEUSER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Safety Key-Boxes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a horizontal section of one form of my invention, the plane of section being indicated by the line a; Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a similar section, showing the parts in an altered position. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection of the same, in the plane of the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig.' 4. is a horizontal section, in the plane of the line e z, Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 show another formof my invention in vertical longitudinal section.

Similar letters indicate corresponding1 parts.

The object ot my invention is to'produce a safety-box to receive the keys appertaining to a watchmans time-detecter, and prevent the fraud ordeception which I 'will now eX plain. v

When a time watchl or detecter is used on two or more consecutive nights-such as Saturday and Sundaywithout inspection after the iirst night, two or more keys, di'erent from each other, are stationed at each place to be visited by the watchman, and the latter goes his rounds at di'erent times on the succeeding nights, introducing one key the iirst night, another key the second night, and so on. Now, when the different keys are eX- posed at all times, as hitherto, the watchman is enabled, in some cases, to introduce .the same, severally, at the proper times on the iirst night, and hence he is free to keep away from' his post on the remaining night or nights. This is lobviatedby my invention, which consists in the combination of a closed outer case, a movable inner case divided into two or more compartments, to receive different keys, the outer case having an opening to register with one of these compartments, a device for moving the inner case, and mechanism adapted to prevent a back movement of the inner case, so that while the latter can readily be moved from the iirst to its second position, and so on, the same cannot be returned, under normal conditions, to a previous posit-ion, and

hence when the second key is in use the first is inaccessible to the watchman.

1t also consists in the combination, with the outer case and its door, of a marking device, consisting of a spring-impelled bell-crank, which is arranged in such relation to the door that when the latter is opened a mark is made by the bell-crank, and hence any surreptitious opening of the case by the watchman is recorded.

In the drawing, the letter A designates the outer portion or case of my box, having a door, B, which is provided with a suitable lock, and Gis the inner case. In the example shown this inner case has two key-compartments, 1 2, but the number thereof may be increased. The compartments 1 2 of the inner case are open on one side, and in the outer case, A, is formed an opening, a, to register with either of them. The letter b designates a moving device combined with the inner case, C, and c designates a device or mechanism for lookin g the said case against a retrograde movement.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the inner ease, C, is arranged to rotate on a spindle, h, and the moving device b consists of a crank, while the locking device c consists of a spring-catch entering a slot, d, formed in the top of the inner case. In Fig. 1 the rotating inner case, O, is shown in its iirst po sition. This position of the rotating inner case, C, is determined by stops c f, respectively secured to the inner and outer cases, and when the inner case is in the position named the catch c rests on the top thereof, so that it is free to be turned to its second position. This second position of the rotating case C is shown in Fig. 2, and when the same is turned thereto the catch c drops into the slot d, so as to prevent a return movement. To permit of turning the rotating inner case, C, from the second to its rst position, the catch c must be lifted out of the slot d, which can be accomplished only by an authorized person, inasmuch as it is necessary to open the door B in order to gain access to the catch.

In the example shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the inner case, C, is arranged to slide within the outer ease, A, and the moving device b consists of a cord, while the locking device c cousistsof a spring, which is depressed by the inner case when the same is in its tirst position, as shown in Fig. 5, and catches behind the case when the same is moved to its second position,- as shown in Fig. 6, so that the inner case can be moved back only when the spring is depressed, to accomplish which it is necessary to open the door of the outer case.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have also represented an exposed detent, f', whose function is to prevent the inner case, C, from moving from the first to its second position by accident, and. if desired, a similar detent may be combined with the rotating inner case. (Represented in Figs. l to 4.)

A box of the above character is fastened at cach of the places to be visited by a watchman, and by its means he is effectually prevented from using more than one key Without detection.

I have attained a similar result by a box having diierent doors so arranged that when one is opened the previous door is locked. This box, however, forms the subjectmatter of a separate application for a patent, and I do not, therefore, give a detailed description thereof herein.

In the upper part of the outer case, A, is pivoted a bell-crank, D, (see Fig. 3,) which is subjected to the action of a spring, g, having a tendency to force 011e arm thereof upward in contact with the top ot the case. IV hen the doorB of the outer case is shut this bell-crank D is thereby held ont of contact with the top ot' the case; but when said door is opened the bell-crank is allowed to follow the action of its spring'. At the point where the bell-crank D is thus brought in contact with the top ot the case A, I fasten a piece of paper or other material capable of receiving an impression, so that a mark is made each time the door is opened, a-nd any surreptitious opening thereof by the watchman is made known.

It may be remarked that a clock-movement can be combined with the inner case, C, of my box, for the purpose of moving the same to its different positions at certain specied times; also, that the moving and locking devices can be changed, as will be readily perceived by a skilled mechanic.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a safety key-box, of a closed outer case, a movable inner case divided into two or more compartments to receive different keys, a deviceor devices for moving the inner case, and mechanism adapted to preventa back movement of the inner case, 'substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. The combination, with the outer case, A, and its door B, of a marking device consisting of the bell-crank D, arranged, in relation to the door, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing` I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of December, 1878.

FRIEDRICH IMHAEUSER. 

